Conservation Area Working Lands

April 2014

The City, through the Conservation Commission, licenses the use of farmland that it owns as part of conservation areas, managing the property based on local needs.

The purpose of these policies are to manage the properties:
1. Consistent with the City's Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan.
2. Support local farmers to the extent possible.
3. Encourage best management practices appropriate to the parcel to be farmed and prefers organic farming except when infeasible; each license will be reviewed and approved by the Commission.
4. Support neighborhoods and public access to public land.
5. Preference to sweat equity improvements from agricultural land license holders instead of cash license payments.